Bennett’s wife and daughters’ anxiety over the land and house all going to a distant cousin, and what that would mean to the family. If you are familiar with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, you will remember Mr. Many wives of peers, and even wives of untitled landowners, often gave their lives in the attempt to produce a son to guarantee continuation of the line and succession of a direct descendant. Therefore, the need for a male heir was of supreme importance. At that point, it either went extinct or (in theory but not usually in practice) the monarch had the power to bestow it upon someone else. When a peer failed to have a son, the practice of a title going to a female heir’s husband or son occurred anciently, but by the Regency, the title either went to the closest, eldest male relative, or it reverted to the crown. The first time that happened under her rule was when the earl of Fife Married the eldest daughter of the Prince of Wales in 1889 the second when no male heir was born to that line, the title jumped to the male heir of Fife’s daughter-not a common practice. Anyway, the title of duke was originally awarded only for exemplary loyalty and valor to the crown, so no more than 40 dukes ever existed, the last being created during Queen Victoria’s reign. According to my research, he would have been called Lord William in that era which signified he was more than a mere knight. I am mystified as to why his name was Sir William, suggesting he bore the rank and title of knight (not to be confused with being a knight who wears armor and jousts), when he was, in fact, a marquess, a much higher rank. Another newly added title was that of viscount (vi-count) which ranked below earl and above baron.Īccording to Debrett’s, the first British subject to receive the rank of duke who was not a member of the royal family, nor one nearly related, was Sir William de la Pole, Marquess of Suffolk, who was made Duke of Suffolk in the fifteenth century. Marquess ranked just below duke and above earl. The spelling of marquis eventually changed to marquess to sound more English but for many years, both spellings were considered correct. Later the monarchy created other titles which included marquis (a word that by Regency had the odd pronunciation of mar-kwiss). Local sheriffs had the charge of keeping law and order but sometimes the ruling lord took on that duty as well.ĭuring Medieval England, earls and barons were the highest ranking lords–behind the royal dukes, of course. They offered (ideally) protection in times of need to the serfs who fled to safety of the castle walls when enemies attacked. They provided the land that the tenants or serfs farmed, and they collected rent. But unlike other mere knights, these lords had vast lands and responsibilities. They were knights who answered the call to aid the king in war. A duke, or royal duke, meant the king trusted this son to rule on a more local level and enjoyed a higher level independence.ĭuring the Medieval, earls and barons owned and managed their land in a feudal system. Being a mere prince suggested he was something of a wastrel who had no responsibility or power. Originally from the French word Duc, the duke was first used only as a title of power and responsibility for the sons of the king. However, the title itself is fairly recent in England’s history. They are usually in possession of great wealth and power, owning vast amounts of lands, tenants, and other properties. Next to the royal family, the most distinguished and highest ranking title in England is the Duke. Sir Thomas Lawrence, Portrait of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
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